The Santee-Cooper River Basin (Basin) is second only to the Susquehanna in terms of drainage area and volume of flow in the eastern United States. Diadromous fish stocks (fish that migrate between marine and freshwater) in the Basin are significantly depressed relative to historic levels. The USFWS, National Marine Fisheries Service, and South Carolina Department of Natural Resources have developed a basinwide plan for restoring migration and passage of diadromous fish in the Santee-Cooper Basin.

The plan provides a sequential approach to restoring fish passage. Elements include identification of target species, determination of the historic ranges of these fish, identification and quantification of remaining habitat, determination of potential population sizes based on available spawning habitat, and setting priorities for restoration based on sub-basin characteristics, passage needs, opportunities, and habitat availability.

Providing passage at high priority dams would enhance access to approximately 500 miles of habitat. Primary target species include American shad, blueback herring, hickory shad, Atlantic sturgeon, shortnose sturgeon and American eel. Striped bass are also expected to benefit.